Everything French Real Estate Auvergne sits in southern central France and is a mountainous region which contains many volcanoes, although the last confirmed eruption was around 6,000 years ago. Auvergne is one of the least populated regions in Europe. The capital of the region is Clermont Ferrand which sits at the foot of an ancient volcano. The Allier is a prosperous agricultural department with wide valleys and gently rolling hills. Vichy, in the south of the department, is a stylish spa town famous for its mineral water. The spas, famous for their beneficial qualities were first used by the Romans 2000 years ago and made famous by Louis XIV and then again in the 19th century by Napoleon. The Puy de Dome department is also known for its mineral water especially Volvic which springs from the mineral-rich volcanic rock that this area is known for. At the centre of the Puy de Dome fertile alluvial plain, known as la Limagne. A large proportion of the Cantal department lies at an altitude of over 800 metres with large areas that are barren and treeless, such as the wide rolling grasslands of the Cézallier. Farmers graze cattle in mountain pastures in the summer and the produce the wonderful Cantal cheeses. At the centre of the Cantal department lie the Monts du Cantal, a volcanic bulge in the crust of southern central France. The Haute Loire department is also mostly a high land area, but it does lower lying areas consisting of the upper valleys of the Allier and Loire rivers. The capital of Haute Loire is the small city of Le Puy-en-Velay which has an amazing cathedral Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy, which is one of the historic starting points on the medieval pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. Another highlight is chapel Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe built in 962 on a volcanic
formation 85 metres high. The chapel is reached by 268 steps carved into the rock. It was built to celebrate the return from the pilgrimage of Saint James. A very rural region, Auvergne is not traditionally a major tourist destination. Apart from the spa resorts of Vichy, Le Mont Dore and Chatel Guyon, Auvergne traditionally had little tourist infrastructure. Tourist Attractions Le Puy en Velay is home to the stunning Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Puy, dating mainly from the first half of the 12th century and an UNESCO world heritage site. Also of interest is the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel which is built on a volcanic outcrop 85 metres high. The chapel is reached by 268 steps carved into the rock. It was built to celebrate the return from the pilgrimage of Saint James. Vichy, in the south of the department, is the famous spa town famous for its mineral water. The spas, famous for their beneficial qualities were first used by the Romans 2000 years ago and made famous by Louis XIV and then again in the 19th century by Napoleon. The Romanesque Churches of Auvergne The region has a number of mediaeval churches, the most well known are: Notre Dame du Port in Clermont Ferrand Eglise Saint Austremoine at Issoire Notre Dame d'Orcival Eglise de Saint Nectaire Basilique Saint Julien Brioude Abbey and cloisters at Lavaudieu Chapelle Saint Michel de l'Aiguilhe Le Puy en Velay Clermont Ferrand is one of the oldest cities in France and was first written about by the ancient Greeks. It was the starting point of the ©Everything French Real Estate| www.everythingfrenchrealestate.co.au|
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